Completed Kronos Science research includes, but is not limited to the following projects:
Project Name
Development of High Throughput Testing of Highly Unsaturated Fatty Acids (HUFA)
Funding Source
Kronos Science
PI
Yali Su, PhD; KS
Status
Complete
The goal of this project is to develop a high throughput method for testing of highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) in red blood cell (RBC) membranes. This assay will focus on the omega 3 fatty acids EPA and DHA as a percent of total HUFA, which has been shown to be an excellent predictor of cardiovascular disease risk.
Project Name
Development of an Oxidative Stress Assay Panel
Funding Source
Kronos Science
PI
Yali Su, PhD; KS
Status
Complete
The goal of this study is to create a panel of oxidative stress assays measuring DNA, RNA, lipid and protein oxidation. Markers on this panel now include 8-hydroxy-d’-deoxyguanosine (8OHdG), 8-hydroxy-guanosine (8oxoGuo), and 5-hydroxymethyl-2-deoxyuridine (5OHmU), markers of oxidative damage to DNA & RNA, 8-Iso-Prostaglandiin-F(2alpha-IV), 8-Iso-Prostaglandiin-F(2alpha-VI) and 2,3-Dinor-8-Iso-Prostaglandin-F(2alpha), markers of lipid peroxidation, and dityrosine and nitro-tyrosine, markers of protein oxidation. This project has been extremely successful and is the basis of ongoing research on oxidative stress.
Project Name
Development of an Ionization Radiation Oral Protector
Funding Source
Kronos Science
PI
Richard Cutler, PhD
Status
Complete
This project was conducted in collaboration with the University of Windsor. The goal of the project was to measure the free radical damage created by radiation exposure during routine clinical examinations using whole body CT scanning. The damage was found to be measurable, but the method of measurement was too variable to be useful as a screening tool. A more stable, yet equally sensitive method of measuring minute levels of DNA damage is being pursued.
Project Name
The Primate Longevity Determinant Gene Comparative Project
Funding Source
Kronos Science
PI
Richard Cutler, PhD
Status
Complete
The Primate LDG project was to search for key genes that could account for human’s comparatively long lifespan. The question asked was what is unique about human biology that can account for an unusually long lifespan compared to all other mammalian species and in particular, the great apes. This study involved comparison of both biochemical markers and genome-wide gene expression profiling to examine differences between the two species. Results are currently being documented for publication. This project was performed in collaboration with the Primate Foundation of Arizona, Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research (SFBR) and the Yerkes National Primate Research Center.
Project Name
DNA Damage Markers in Smokers, Ex-Smokers and Non-Smokers; A Comparison Study
Funding Source
Kronos Science
PI
Christopher B. Heward, PhD; KS
Status
Complete
The objective of this study was to determine if the Kronos Science DNA damage assay panel (8OHdG, 8oxoGuo, and 5OHmU) along with an isoprostane (PGF2α) could provide a reliable assessment of ongoing rates of free radical damage in lipid membranes. A distinction between levels of damage in smokers, ex-smokers, and non-smokers was used to clinically validate these assays.
Project Name
Impact of Environmental and Physiological Stress on Cytokines and Lymphocyte Subclasses in U.S. Marines
Funding Source
Naval Health Research Center
PI
Wayne Ensign; NHRC
Status
Complete
In collaboration with the Naval Health Research Center, this study attempted to identify patterns of cytokines and lymphocyte subclasses in United States Marines exposed to prolonged periods (up to six weeks) of extreme environmental and physiological stress. The goal was to find patterns that were predictive of susceptibility to illness and infection. Follow-up studies in collaboration with the NHRC are under discussion.
Project Name
Study of 3-Phenacyl-4,5-dimethylthiazolium chloride or Pyridoxamine in Aging Canines
Funding Source
Kronos Science
PI
Christopher B. Heward, PhD; KOH
Status
Complete
The purpose of this study was to determine if 3-phenacyl-4,5-dimethylthiazolium chloride or pyridoxamine could be put into a edible form for supplement administration in elderly dogs and if so, does either 3-phenacyl-4,5-dimethylthiazolium chloride or pyridoxamine show effectiveness in reducing symptoms of aging in these animals. A significant reduction of aging symptoms beyond placebo was not observed.